Post date: Feb 20, 2011 8:52:38 PM
Mark Kevin Aufderheide, 57, passed away at his home in DeWitt Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, after a 3-year battle with malignant melanoma.
He was born April 11, 1953, to Cal and Mary Katherine Aufderheide and preceded in death by his mother. He is survived by his best friend and wife of 33 years, Margo Travis Aufderheide and his beloved family, son, Matthew Aufderheide (Ashley); daughters, Katherine and Alexis Aufderheide; granddaughters, Ashtyn and Mary Grace; his father, Cal Aufderheide (Peggy); brother, Mitchell Aufderheide; in-laws, Ralph and Su'Aaron Travis; and nephew, Tucker Travis.
Mark was an upstanding member of the community and lifelong active member of the 1st Christian Church, where he was ordained as an elder in 2006. He owned and operated Aufderheide Flying Service Inc., where he worked as a young boy and became a respected agricultural pilot, flying since 1977.
He was a member of the DeWitt Athletic Booster Club and follower of the DeWitt Dragons for many years. He graduated from DeWitt High School, where he played football, was named All-State and played in the Arkansas High School All-Star game.
Mark was an avid fan and supporter of the Red Wolves Club and Arkansas State University, where he graduated with a degree in business management, became a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, played football for the Indians, now Red Wolves, and was chosen as the 2003-04 ASU Family of the Year. He was a 1924 Sustaining life Member of the ASU Alumni Association. He also enjoyed hunting, his home and many wonderful friends.
Services will be held Monday, Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. at DeWitt First Christian Church.
Donations may be sent to the church at P.O. Box 389, DeWitt, Ark. 72042, or to the Arkansas State Alumni Assoc., P.O. Box 1990, State University, Ark. 72467.
Arrangements by Essex Funeral Home.